Sept 11 2010 - The Sky Dive

As I realised that I’d snoozed my alarm one too many times, I bounced out of bed sporting a mouth like Ghandi’s flip-flop and a slightly fuzzy head. The magnitude of what I was in for didn’t have a chance to even sink in. I was late. Coaxing my girlfriend from bed to car in the shortest possible time seemed to be my first major hurdle but after lots of profanities and angry looks we were on the A1, bound for north Lincolnshire.
 
Reading through all the information gave to me by Red Letter Days; we found that you were supposed to call the centre before you leave to ensure that the weather would not put a spanner in the works for the day. Unfortunately as we had some distance to travel, they were not open when we left so we took a punt on the dull misty weather and plodded on. The other half was almost overcome with joy (read: immense anger) when she read that spectators were not advised to come along as they could well be spending the whole day waiting. I turned the radio up and this seemed to drown her out.

We managed to get through to the centre about an hour before arrival, which I thought was impressive as this was at about 7am still. They advised us that it was about a 50/50 chance at the moment of the jump taking place as the drizzle, wind and clouds were not ideal but we thought we had come so far we should risk it. We arrived at the centre in good time, and the signage from the road helped as being a small airfield it is down a very small back road.

We made our way to reception where we were greeted by great smiles and friendly staff who helped my potentially sign my life away and gave the girlfriend a ribbing for not getting involved. (She is adamant she would have, if she had £250. They also offered her a £40 discount should she want to join in!) I paid my £90 for the DVD and pictures, which at first you think is quite a lot, but I later found out that you get a separate camera man coming up with you, so I can understand the cost. Not to mention this isn’t an everyday event, so I wanted something to take away with me and show the family.

So, life signed away and now it was waiting time. The weather was still changeable but they kept us informed that it was due to change but you can never tell. I thought I would be there some time, so grabbed a bacon, sausage and egg sandwich at the café on site only to find just as I took a bite my name was being called to go in to the briefing. Again, greeted by smiling faces and great humour the staff informed us of what to do on the jump, which isn’t a lot to remember but there are 4 golden rules: Feet and legs up and behind you, hold your straps until you’re tapped on the shoulders, no trying to grab the instructors hands in fall and feet up in the landing so theirs land first. Not a great deal to remember so thought I could manage. Reading the final papers to sign, it starts to sink in when you read “I understand the risk of death” and so the previous sandwich starts to repeat.

We were then suited up and told that we would see if we could find a gap in the weather when it was OK and the clouds were starting to part in place of bits of blue sky. From having to potentially wait around for hours to being walked over to the plane was only just over an hour in total and a lot of that was taken up by the briefing and suiting up so they were very well organised and professional. Confident I knew what I was doing (or simply hoping that my partner did) I quizzed him on how many jumps he’d completed, so when he came back with a response of over 3000, I thought I was in safe hands.

My camera man got me on film just before being led to the plane, my potential last words to my fans if you will. Nerves were building and adrenaline coursing around my body by this stage. I kissed my girlfriend goodbye and marched out with the others to the plane. These next subsequent minutes seemed to blur in to what feels like not time at all. Knowing we were second out the plane, sitting right near the hatch climbing to 15000 feet couldn’t have added more suspense to the experience. Looking out the window to see things getting smaller and smaller and watching the counter climb on my partner’s attitude wrist device. It was almost time. The red light came on, the hatch was opened and it all became real. I was about to jump out of this plane. You are mental. We have green light and before you know it the first pair are up and out the plane. I’m on my feet and walking to the hatch now very tightly attached to the professional behind me. So this is what fear is, hanging out of a plane hatch, attached to nothing but a man behind me who is taking, what seems like forever to jump. My face was a picture. BAM. We’re freefalling and the next several words out my mouth are not broadcastable before the 9pm watershed. The feeling is out of this world. The sheer speed and breathlessness is uncomprehendable and I was shaking with the adrenaline. My instructor span us round a few times and we grabbed hold of the camera man’s hand as well whilst falling. Before you knew it, you’d hit 4000 feet and the shoot was deployed, allowing us to take stock and glide down slowly, taking in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside. I was allowed to take control of the parachute and steer us through a few spirals before he regained control and I was raising my feet for landing which was as smooth as you could imagine. It was over. I wanted to do it again. I WANT to do it again. I can see how this can get addictive though as the feeling is unrivalled and out of this world.

I thanked my instructor for the great experience and the camera man ran off to get my disk ready. Within 10 minutes I had the DVD in hand of pictures and film ready to take home. Again, very impressive. I left the centre having been there and jumped in just over 2 hours, which was amazing considering the uncertainty previously.

I would do this again and hope to get the other half involved next time as well. The centre may not look like much but the people there evidently love what they do and that shines through in parachute loads! Do this, you will never regret it and come away feeling like you can take on the world, I assure you that. Now, where is the bungee jumping…